South Plains College MATH 0315 - BEGINNING ALGEBRA Spring 2011 Course Syllabus “Yard by yard, life is hard – Inch by inch, life’s a cinch.” ~Lao-tse Instructor: Kathy Holster Office: M113 Phone: (806)716-2664 E-Mail: [email protected] Blackboard: http://spc.blackboard.com Office Hours: MW 9:00– 9:45 TR 9:00 – 9:45 F 9:00 – 12:00 2:30 – 3:45 And other times by appointment Course Description: MATH 0315. BEGINNING ALGEBRA.(3:3:1) This course is designed for those students who need MATH 0320 and have not had one year of high school algebra. It includes properties of signed numbers, algebraic expressions, linear equations in one unknown and geometry. Time in a math lab is required. This course will not satisfy graduation requirements. This course is required if testing indicates a need. (from SPC catalog) Course Objectives: Successful completion of this course should reflect mastery of the following objectives: (Chapter and section numbers are indicated in parentheses.) 1. Add, subtract, multiply and divide real numbers. (1.5) 2. Use the order of operations to simplify an expression. (1.7) 3. Simplify algebraic expressions. (1.8) 4. Solve linear equations. (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) 5. Translate and solve word problems. (2.5, 2.6, 2.7) 6. Solve linear inequalities. (2.8) 7. Graph equations in two variables by the intercept method and the slope intercept method. (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) 8. Evaluate expressions using exponent rules. (5.2, 5.4) 9. Add, subtract, multiply and divide polynomials. (5.1, 5.3, 5.5) 10. Factor polynomials, (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5) 11. Solve quadratic equations by factoring. (6.6) Expectations: • Read the syllabus. • Attend class, arrive on time, do your homework, and be prepared to participate. • TURN OFF and PUT AWAY all cell phones and pagers when you enter the classroom and keep off for the duration of the class. Do NOT send or receive text messages during class. • Maintain a classroom environment that is conducive to learning. For more detail, see page 23 of the South Plains College General Catalog. • Foster a spirit of complete honesty and a high standard of integrity. For more detail, see page 23 of the South Plains College General Catalog. TSI: The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a state program designed to ensure that all Texas institutions provide placement testing, personal advisement and appropriate instruction to students to enhance their opportunities for success in their college studies. All new students entering Texas colleges and universities are required to take a placement test prior to enrolling in college-level courses, unless exempt from testing under specified state standards (i.e., scores on ACT, SAT or TAKS). Testing will indicate whether a student possesses adequate basic college-level skills in reading, writing and mathematics necessary to begin an undergraduate program of study. (copied from the current SPC catalog) Attendance: Attendance and effort are the most important activities for success in this course. Record of your attendance will be maintained throughout the semester. You may be dropped from this course with a grade of X or F if you are absent four consecutive classes or if you exceed four absences throughout the semester. Absences are not classified as ‘excused’ or ‘unexcused’. Textbook: Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, Sullivan/Struve/Mazzarella, Second Edition, Prentice Hall/Pearson Education. Supplies: You will need pencils, notebook paper, graph paper, a 3-ring binder, and a 3-hole punch. Please make certain all materials accompany you to each class meeting. You will be allowed to use a scientific calculator on Exam 2. Graphing calculators and calculators on cell phones or other electronic devices will not be allowed.Grading: Organization & Participation 5% Grading Scale: A 90-100 Homework & Homework Checks 15% B 80-89 Unit Exams 60% C 70-79 Final Exam 20% D 60-69 F 59 or below A grade of C (70) or better is required to advance to the next course. Although your grade in this course will not be used in calculating your GPA, your grade is used to determine academic status for financial aid. This course and its grade will be recorded on your official transcript. Binder: Neatness and organization of a 3-ring binder are important. The binder should be arranged in the following manner: 1st Course Outline 2nd Syllabus 3rd Divider labeled Notes Handouts to use to take notes are posted on blackboard. It is your responsibility to print the handouts. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get the notes from a classmate or come to me during my office hours. 4th Divider labeled My Work (homework, homework checks, binder grade, and unit exams will be included in this section of the binder). These pages will be kept in chronological order. The binder will be graded. Homework: • Homework assignments from the textbook are given on the course outline; changes will be announced in class. Homework problems should be worked early enough to seek help if needed. Work extra problems, as required, to understand each topic. • Homework checks will be unannounced and can not be made-up. You are responsible for keeping up-to-date and prepared. • Written assignments must be done in pencil and on paper without frayed edges. Writing on both sides of the paper is permitted. Exams: There will be 4 unit exams (15% each) and a comprehensive final exam (20%). Dates for the exams are given on the course outline. If for any reason you are unable to take an exam at the designated time you must contact me prior to class time. Make-up exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor. Tutoring and Free tutoring and video tapes are available in Room 116 of the Math Building. Digital versions Video Tapes: of these tutorial videos can be viewed on your personal computer. There is a link for them on blackboard http://spc.blackboard.com An on-line supplement to this course, MyMathLab, also has excellent tutorial helps. When working a problem you can ask for help or ask to see an example. There are also tutorial videos to